Richard A. Petrie, 81, of Tampa, Florida, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2020 after a brief acute illness. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Rosalynne W. Petrie; his sister Ann Cabral (Bill) of Hampstead, N.H; his son Richard A. Petrie, Jr. (Sharon) of Minot, Maine; his daughter Beth Bernard (Bruce Crosby) of Westbrook, Maine; his daughter Suzanne Salisbury (Joe) of Westbrook, Maine; one niece and one nephew, six grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his brother George Petrie.
Richard was born in Boston, MA, on June, 13, 1938, to George and Eleanor Petrie. The family later moved to Waterville, Maine where he graduated high school in 1955.
Richard joined the United States Air Force in 1955 and was trained as a medical corpsman. He remained in the medical field for half of his military career, then changed his occupation to Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. He retired from the Air Force in 1976.
Notable events in Richard’s military career include his assignment to Otis AFB on Cape Cod in the early ‘60’s. There he served both President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy for 10 days when she required emergency surgery to deliver a premature child, who later died. Later in his career in OSI, Richard provided personal DVP for General Alexander Haig and Ambassador Leonard Firestone in Europe.
Richard served in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968 as crew on a C-141 Starlifter evacuating wounded and injured troops from Vietnam. He retired from the military in 1976 having served almost 21 years.
Once retired, Richard was employed as an Investigator for the Maine Department of Human Services, then later as a Detective in the Criminal Division of the Office of the Attorney General Of Maine. While working in the Capitol area of Maine, he became a friend of then Governor Angus King.
Richard adored his wife Rosalynne, and they were inseparable. In later years they traveled the world extensively with family and friends. Richard loved all of his children and grandchildren. He loved babies, both human and animal. He had a dry sense of humor and could bring a smile to anyone’s day. He believed in treating every individual with compassion and respect and encouraged people to be their best. He believed in God.
On May 28, 2020 Richard was admitted to the Hospice Unit at James A. Haley VA Hospital in Tampa. He passed away peacefully and gently in the middle of a fierce Tampa summer thunderstorm, with his wife at his side. He is missed terribly.
Due to the current COVID19 restrictions on gatherings, a memorial for Richard will take place at an appropriate time in the future. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the PAWS Animal Rescue and Shelter, Chicago, IL. (PAWSChicago.org)
My prayers, and love to you and the family during this time of sorrow. Although no longer here physically, Richard is here spiritually and in your heart. He is resting in the LORD’s embrace and has heard “ Come, my good and faithful servant.”
My favorite memory is how much he and Roz loved to Golf. His JFK story and how he saved an Ambassodors life are just a small part of how great this man was. I WAS BLESSED TO KNOW HIM.
I have so many favorite memories…the night he and Roz welcomed me into their home when I was locked out, the day he wanted to take my newborn Camila to meet his friends, the fun times dressing up and reading books with Felipe, my Mom’s face when he said that his nickname was not Dick. We had so many wonderful times together! Richard instantly became our “grandpa” and with Roz, our family in America. Lucky me to forget my keys one winter night, so life could bring us together! We will miss him terribly.
Mr. Petrie was always such a kind and funny man. We both loved to talk to him as he entertained us with stories. He surely will be missed.